The City School District of Albany held a ribbon cutting ceremony last Saturday, February 22, to unveil its new academic building, representing the completion of Phase 1 of the district’s multi-phased, $179.9 million renovation and expansion of Albany High School.
“The rebuilding of Albany High School manifests itself today and becomes a reality as we embark on occupying this new wing,” said Kaweeda Adams, Superintendent of the City School District of Albany. “As an educator, I know that outstanding teaching and learning happens when the environment supports the delivery of quality instruction. This the first thing that our students see. It is the first thing that our community sees. So absolutely our physical environment is critical to the learning environment of our students.”
Constructed over the past two years, the 120,000-square-foot, three-story building addition houses three of Albany High Schools’ four themed academies: Discovery; Innovation; and Leadership. Featuring abundant natural light, sound isolation, and improved heating/cooling controls throughout, the academic building is located in the rear of Albany High’s Washington Avenue campus and is made up of:
- 71 classrooms
- 5 resource rooms
- 9 group breakout rooms
- 1 nurse’s office suite
- One administrative office suite on each floor
“The completion of Phase 1 marks a very exciting milestone for Albany CSD, the community, and our project team,” said Richard Peckham, Executive Principal at CSArch. “The energy felt today represents why we do what we do, and that’s to impact student success.”
Completed in four phases, the rebuilding of Albany High School is projected to be complete in 2025 and will renovate approximately 300,400 square feet of existing space and add nearly 250,000 square feet of new construction. In the end, the new high school will project a modern, forward-thinking student and community-focused facility with generous daylight, a welcoming main entrance, spaces large enough to accommodate student and community events and classrooms that support 21st century learning.
“This new building is a critical part of our collective efforts to increase student success at Albany High School and across the district,” said Kaweeda Adams.
The project team is made up of CSArch, Architecture and MEP Engineering; Turner Construction, Construction Management; CHA, Site/Civil/Structural Engineering; Jersen Construction Group, General Contractor; Digesare Mechanical, Inc., Mechanical Contractor; SH&E, Electrical Contractor; T. Lemme Mechanical, Inc., Plumbing Contractor; Condor Fire Sprinkler Co., Fire Protection Contractor; M. Sullivan Construction, Site Contractor.
For more information and project updates, visit the City School District of Albany website at www.albanyschools.org.
